Case Western Outlasts Redhawks in W&J Tip-Off Tournament Final

WASHINGTON, PA – Case Western hit a pair of free throws with seven seconds remaining and the Redhawks came up short at the buzzer as Case held on to win the W&J Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday 80-77.

The matchup was a game of runs with each team grabbing the lead five times. La Roche held a slight advantage in the first quarter but Case chipped away at the Redhawk lead and entered the half with a 42-39 lead.

The Spartans came out of the locker room strong and built up an eight point lead until a 10-2 La Roche run tied it up just before the start of the fourth. Darrian Johnson sparked the run with a deep three while Danasha Harris added five of the next seven points.

The Redhawks brought the momentum into the fourth quarter and led 74-70 but Case finished the game on a 10-3 run and hung on.

La Roche was excellent from three-point range (10 of 19) and the free throw line (19 of 23). They also shot a solid 47% from short/midrange but that is where Case excelled hitting 62% there. The Spartans took advantage of their height advantage outscoring La Roche in the paint 50-24.

The Redhawks will take the road on Tuesday at John Carroll. Tip-off is 7pm.